JP2017186148A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress the possibility that a foreign material adhering to a printing surface of a medium contaminates a recording head, ink ejection performance of the recording head varies, and printing quality of an image is reduced.SOLUTION: A printer comprises: a printing section performing printing on a printing surface of a medium; a transportation section 30 transporting the medium M in a transportation direction F, and feeding out the medium M; a medium support section 22 being disposed at an upstream side in the transportation direction F with respect to a recording head 41 and supporting a surface M2 of an opposite side to the printing surface M1 of the medium M; and a removal section 60 having flexibility and having a first contact portion 61 brought into contact with the printing surface M1 when the medium M is supported by the medium support section 22. The removal section 60 is spaced apart from the medium support section 22 at both of a portion closer to the upstream side in the transportation direction F than the first contact portion 61 and a portion closer to a downstream side in the transportation direction F than the first contact portion 61. An interval between the removal section 60 and the medium support section 22 is increased toward a reverse direction to the transportation direction F at the upstream side in the transportation direction F of the first contact portion 61, and is increased toward the transportation direction F at the downstream side in the transportation direction F of the first contact portion 61.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus.

  An ink jet printer, which is an example of a printing apparatus, includes a conveyance unit that conveys a medium and a recording head that has a nozzle formation surface that ejects ink. The nozzle formation surface moves the recording head in a direction that intersects the conveyance direction. The operation of ejecting ink from the head and the operation of transporting the medium in the transport direction are alternately repeated to print a desired image on the medium. In addition, in the portion where the image is printed, the nozzle forming surface is arranged close to the medium in order to land the ejected ink accurately at a predetermined position, so that it is easily contaminated by foreign matter attached to the medium. .

  The printing apparatus is used in an environment where foreign matters such as dust and fluff are present. For this reason, foreign substances of environmental factors adhere to the medium and are easily brought into the printing apparatus. If foreign matter is brought into a portion where an image is printed, the nozzle forming surface is soiled by the foreign matter, the ink discharge performance of the recording head is changed, and the print quality of the image may be deteriorated.

  For example, the printer (printing apparatus) described in Patent Document 1 has a dust removing member for removing dust, and the dust removing member removes dust (foreign matter) adhering to the roller, thereby adversely affecting the foreign matter. Suppress. Specifically, the dust removing member is a brush, and the foreign matter is removed by scraping off the foreign matter attached to the roller with the brush.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-265075

  However, in the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the foreign matter scraped off by the brush is scattered around and adheres to a medium or the like, which may contaminate the nozzle forming surface. In addition, because it does not have a configuration that removes foreign matter adhering to the medium due to environmental factors, the foreign matter adhering to the media due to environmental factors stains the nozzle forming surface, changing the ink ejection performance of the recording head, and image print quality. There was a risk of lowering.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

  Application Example 1 A printing apparatus according to this application example includes a printing unit that performs printing on a printing surface of a medium, a conveyance unit that conveys the medium in a conveyance direction, and sends the medium to the printing unit, and the printing unit. And a medium support portion that is disposed upstream of the transport direction and supports a surface of the medium opposite to the printing surface, and has flexibility, and the medium is supported by the medium support portion. A removal unit having a first contact part that contacts the printing surface, and the removal part is located upstream of the first contact part in the transport direction and more transported than the first contact part. The distance between the removal portion and the medium support portion is separated from the medium support portion in both of the downstream portions in the direction, and the distance between the removal portion and the medium support portion is the same as the transfer direction on the upstream side of the transfer direction of the first contact portion. It becomes wider as it goes in the opposite direction, and on the downstream side of the transport direction of the first contact portion Characterized by comprising wider toward the serial conveying direction.

  The removal unit is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the transport unit so as to be in contact with the print surface of the medium, so that foreign matter adhering to the print surface of the medium on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the transport unit is removed. In addition, it is possible to suppress foreign substances from entering (intruding) into the transport section and the printing section, and to suppress deterioration in printing performance (deterioration in print quality of images) due to foreign substances.

Furthermore, since the interval between the removal unit and the medium support unit becomes wider toward the direction opposite to the transport direction on the upstream side in the transport direction of the first contact unit, when transporting the medium in the transport direction, Can be received at a portion where the distance between the removal portion and the medium support portion is wide, compared with a case where the medium is received at a portion where the distance between the removal portion and the medium support portion is narrow. It is easy to transport between the medium support part and the medium transport is difficult to be hindered.
On the downstream side of the transport direction of the first contact section, the distance between the removal section and the medium support section becomes wider toward the transport direction. Therefore, when the medium is transported in the direction opposite to the transport direction, the medium is removed. The medium can be received at a portion where the distance between the portion and the medium support portion is wide, and the medium can be received at a portion where the distance between the removal portion and the medium support portion is narrow. It is easy to convey between the two and the conveyance of the medium is difficult to be hindered.

  Application Example 2 In the printing apparatus according to the application example, it is preferable that the first contact portion extends in a direction intersecting the transport direction.

The direction intersecting the transport direction is the width direction of the medium, and the transport direction is the length direction of the medium.
When the first contact portion extends in a direction crossing the transport direction, the removal portion can contact the printing surface of the medium in a wide range in the width direction of the medium. Further, when the medium is transported in the transport direction, the removing unit can remove the foreign matter adhering to the printing surface of the medium in the medium length direction in a wide range of the medium width direction.

  Application Example 3 The printing apparatus according to the application example includes a fixing unit that fixes the removal unit, and when the medium is not supported by the medium support unit, the removal unit is in contact with the medium support unit, It is preferable to close a gap between the fixed portion and the medium support portion.

  Since the gap between the fixed part and the medium support part is blocked by the removal part, foreign matter floating in the air enters from the gap between the fixed part and the medium support part, and the transport part and the printing part are The possibility of being contaminated with the foreign matter can be suppressed.

  Application Example 4 In the printing apparatus according to the application example described above, when the medium is not supported by the medium support portion, the first contact portion is a portion where the removal portion is in contact with the medium support portion as the second contact portion. It is preferable that the length of the contact portion in the transport direction is longer than the length of the second contact portion in the transport direction.

  When the first contact portion is long in the transport direction, the force for removing foreign matter from the first contact portion to the print surface of the medium is applied longer than in the case where the first contact portion is short in the transport direction, Foreign matter adhering to the printing surface can be removed more strongly. Therefore, it is preferable that the length of the 1st contact part in the conveyance direction is longer than the length of the 2nd contact part in the conveyance direction.

  Application Example 5 In the printing apparatus according to the application example, it is preferable that the removing unit is divided into a plurality of parts along a direction intersecting the transport direction.

  If the removal unit is deteriorated due to dirt, scratches, etc., it is only necessary to replace a part of the removal unit divided into multiple parts (deteriorated removal unit). The maintenance cost of the department can be suppressed.

  Application Example 6 In the printing apparatus according to the application example, the removing unit includes a first member disposed on the medium support unit side and a second member disposed on the side opposite to the medium support unit. It is preferable that the second member has higher rigidity than the first member.

  When the rigidity of the removal portion (first member) is increased by arranging the second member, the removal portion (first member) is the first in comparison with the case where the rigidity of the removal portion (first member) is not increased. It is possible to strongly remove the foreign matter adhering to the printing surface of the medium by strongly pressing the printing surface of the medium at the contact portion.

  Application Example 7 The printing apparatus according to the application example includes a fixing unit that fixes the removing unit, and the removing unit is fixed to the fixing unit and the other end is fixed to the fixing unit. It is preferable that the one end and the other end are separated from each other.

When the removal unit is disposed upstream of the medium support unit in the direction of gravity with the one end and the other end separated from each other, the removal unit is separated by gravity between the one end and the other end. It is displaced in the direction and comes into contact with the print surface of the medium supported by the medium support portion, and is separated from the medium support portion as it approaches one end or the other end from the portion in contact with the print surface.
That is, both the upstream portion in the transport direction from the first contact portion and the downstream portion in the transport direction from the first contact portion are separated from the medium support portion, and between the removal portion and the medium support portion. A shape in which the interval is widened toward the direction opposite to the conveyance direction on the upstream side of the conveyance direction of the first contact portion and stably formed toward the conveyance direction on the downstream side of the conveyance direction of the first contact portion is stably formed. can do.

  Application Example 8 In the printing apparatus according to the application example, it is preferable that the removing unit is formed of a conductive member.

  If the removal unit has conductivity, charges (for example, static electricity) accumulated in the medium can be removed. For example, if the foreign matter adheres to the medium by electrostatic force, the electrostatic force that causes the foreign matter to adhere to the medium is weakened by removing the medium by the removing unit, and the foreign matter is easily removed from the printing surface of the medium.

  Application Example 9 In the printing apparatus according to the application example described above, the transport unit includes a plurality of rollers, and the removing unit is more than a roller located on the most upstream side in the transport direction among the plurality of rollers. It is preferable that it is located upstream in the transport direction.

  Since the removal unit is located on the upstream side in the conveyance direction with respect to the roller located on the most upstream side in the conveyance direction among the plurality of rollers, the foreign matter adhering to the printing surface of the medium is removed by the removal unit, Hard to contaminate the rollers. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the possibility that foreign matter adheres to the roller, the foreign matter reattaches to the printing surface of the medium via the roller, contaminates the printing unit, and causes a reduction in print quality.

  Application Example 10 In the printing apparatus according to the application example described above, it is preferable that the printing apparatus includes a set unit that sends the medium to the transport unit, and the removal unit is disposed between the set unit and the transport unit. .

  Foreign matter adhering to the printing surface of the medium sent out from the set unit is removed by a removal unit disposed between the set unit and the conveyance unit, and a conveyance unit provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction with respect to the removal unit or It is hard to contaminate the printing part.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. Schematic which shows the state of the removal part seen from the diagonal direction. Schematic which shows the state of the removal part seen from the diagonal direction. The enlarged view of the area | region A enclosed with the broken line of FIG. The enlarged view of the area | region A enclosed with the broken line of FIG. Schematic which shows the state of the removal part of a comparative example. Schematic which shows the state of the removal part of a comparative example. Schematic which shows the state of the removal part which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. Schematic which shows the state of the removal part which concerns on Embodiment 3. FIG.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Such an embodiment shows one aspect of the present invention and does not limit the present invention, and can be arbitrarily changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. In each of the following drawings, the scale of each layer or each part is made different from the actual scale so that each layer or each part can be recognized on the drawing.

(Embodiment 1)
"Printer Overview"
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment.
First, the outline of the printing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is a large format printer (LFP) that handles a long medium (paper) M. The printing apparatus 10 includes a pair of legs 11, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped casing 12 supported by the legs 11, and a set unit 20 that sends (feeds) the medium M to the casing 12. ing.
In the following description, the longitudinal direction (width direction of the medium M) of the casing 12 is the X direction, the short direction of the casing 12 is the Y direction, and the direction orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction (gravity direction). Is the Z direction. Further, the tip side of the arrow indicating the direction in the figure is the “(+) direction”, and the base end side is the “(−) direction”.

The set unit 20 is provided so as to protrude upward (Z (+) direction) from the back surface (surface on the Y (−) direction side) of the housing unit 12. The set unit 20 stores a roll body R (see FIG. 2) in which the medium M is wound in a cylindrical shape (roll shape). Further, the set unit 20 is loaded with a plurality of sizes of roll bodies R having different widths (lengths in the X direction) and winding numbers of the medium M in an exchangeable manner. The medium M is fed out of the roll body R and supplied to the printing area 40 in the housing unit 12 when the roll body R is rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown). The print area 40 is provided with a recording head 41 that is an example of a “print unit”. As described above, the printing apparatus 10 includes the setting unit 20 that sends the medium M to the printing area 40.
The medium M is made of, for example, a cloth such as polyester, paper, film, or the like. Further, the medium M may be cut paper instead of roll paper.

  The casing 12 has a feeding port 13, a discharge port 15, an operation unit 14, and the like. The feeding port 13 is provided in the upper part of the back surface of the housing unit 12. The operation unit 14 is provided at the upper part of the housing unit 12 and at the right end in the longitudinal direction of the housing unit 12 (the X (−) direction side end). Various settings for printing an image or the like on the medium M are input from the operation unit 14 by the user. The discharge port 15 is provided on the front surface of the housing unit 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the medium M is fed out from the roll body R stored in the set unit 20, fed into the housing unit 12 from the feeding port 13, and printed in the printing area 40. It is discharged from the discharge port 15 to the outside of the housing unit 12.
The casing 12 has a portion that is bent in the vicinity of the feeding port 13. A fixing portion 7 is detachably fixed to the bent portion of the housing portion 12.

  Inside the housing unit 12, a transport unit 30 that transports the medium M in the transport direction F, a print region 40, a control unit 50 that controls the operation of the transport unit 30 and the print region 40, and a medium support unit 22 The removal unit 60 is provided.

The setting unit 20 sends the medium M to the transport unit 30.
The transport unit 30 transports the medium M in the transport direction F and sends it out to the printing area 40 (recording head 41). The transport unit 30 is located upstream of the print region 40 (recording head 41) in the transport direction F, and includes a plurality of rollers 31, 32, and 33 (a driving roller 31, a driven roller 32, and a guide roller 33). Yes.

  The guide roller 33 is located on the most upstream side in the transport direction F among the plurality of rollers 31, 32, 33 in the transport unit 30, and guides the medium M sent out from the set unit 20 to the print region 40. The driven roller 32 is pressed against the drive roller 31 via the medium M and rotates. The drive roller 31 sandwiches the medium M with the driven roller 32. The drive roller 31 is rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown), so that the medium M is sent out in the transport direction F.

In the print area 40, a recording head 41, a carriage 42 that holds the recording head 41, a platen 45 that supports the medium M, and a guide shaft 43 that supports the carriage 42 are arranged.
The recording head 41 prints an image on the printing surface M1 of the medium M by ejecting ink. That is, the recording head 41 functions as a printing unit that performs printing on the printing surface M1 of the medium M. The printing unit may be any unit that prints an image on the medium M, and may be configured to transfer the image to the medium M.

  The recording head 41 has a nozzle forming surface 41A provided with a plurality of nozzles (not shown), and ejects ink onto the printing surface M1 of the medium M. The carriage 42 holding the recording head 41 reciprocates in the width direction (X direction) of the medium M by the power of a drive motor (not shown). The platen 45 includes a substantially rectangular surface on the upper surface facing the recording head 41 with the width direction of the medium M as the longitudinal direction. The surface M2 opposite to the printing surface M1 of the medium M is sucked and supported on the upper surface of the platen 45 by the negative pressure applied to the platen 45. This prevents a decrease in recording quality due to the floating of the medium M.

  In the printing apparatus 10, the operation of ejecting ink from the recording head 41 to the printing surface M <b> 1 of the medium M while reciprocating the carriage 42 in the X direction, and the transport unit 30 transport the medium M in the transport direction F (Y direction). By alternately repeating the operation, a predetermined image is formed (printed) by arranging a plurality of dot rows (raster lines) on the printing surface M1 of the medium M in the Y direction.

  In the present embodiment, the recording head 41 is exemplified by the serial head type that is mounted on the carriage 42 that reciprocates and ejects ink while moving in the width direction (X direction) of the medium M. It may be a line head type extending in the (X direction) and arranged in a fixed manner.

The medium support unit 22 is provided between the guide roller 33 (conveying unit 30) and the set unit 20, and is disposed so as to face the fixed unit 7. That is, the medium support unit 22 is disposed on the upstream side in the transport direction F with respect to the recording head 41, and supports the surface M <b> 2 opposite to the printing surface M <b> 1 of the medium M.
The medium M unwound from the roll body R passes through the gap 17 between the medium support part 22 and the fixed part 7 and is sent out to the transport part 30.

  A removal unit 60 is fixed to the fixing unit 7. Specifically, the removal unit 60 is bonded (fixed) to the fixing unit 7 via an adhesive sheet. The removal unit 60 may be fixed to the fixing unit 7 with an adhesive, for example, or may be fixed to the fixing unit 7 using a member such as a screw.

  The removal unit 60 is disposed between the set unit 20 and the transport unit 30 and is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction F with respect to the transport unit 30. That is, the removing unit 60 is located on the upstream side in the transport direction F with respect to the guide roller 33 located on the most upstream side in the transport direction F among the plurality of rollers 31, 32, and 33. The removal unit 60 has flexibility and is disposed so as to contact the medium M or the medium support unit 22. Further, the removal unit 60 is disposed so as to close the gap 17 between the medium support unit 22 and the fixed unit 7 when the medium M is not supported by the medium support unit 22.

  As described above, the set unit 20 is loaded with a plurality of sizes of roll bodies R having different widths and winding numbers of the medium M in an exchangeable manner. The user handles the necessary roll body R and loads it into the setting unit 20. By this handling operation, foreign matters such as fluff and dust adhere to the medium M. Then, the foreign matter adhering to the medium M is brought into the printing area 40 and may adhere to the nozzle forming surface 41A of the recording head 41.

  Further, foreign matter such as dust and fluff floats in the air, enters the inside of the housing portion 12 through the gap 17 between the medium support portion 22 and the fixed portion 7, and is brought into the printing area 40 to be recorded head. There is a risk of adhering to the 41 nozzle forming surface 41A.

  If a foreign matter adheres to the nozzle formation surface 41A of the recording head 41 and a part of the nozzle is blocked by the foreign matter, there is a problem that ink is not uniformly ejected from a plurality of nozzles provided on the nozzle formation surface 41A. . For example, the contrast is different between a raster line formed by nozzles blocked by foreign matter and a raster line formed by nozzles not blocked by foreign matter, and problems such as uneven printing occur.

  In the present embodiment, when the medium M is sent out from the setting unit 20, the removing unit 60 is in contact with the printing surface M <b> 1 of the medium M and removes the foreign matter attached to the printing surface M <b> 1 of the medium M. Accordingly, the foreign matter adhering to the medium M is less likely to be brought into the printing area 40, and the above-described printing defect due to the foreign matter is less likely to occur.

  In the present embodiment, when the medium M is not sent out from the setting unit 20, the removing unit 60 contacts the medium support unit 22, closes the gap 17 between the medium support unit 22 and the fixed unit 7, and floats in the air. This makes it difficult for foreign matter to enter the inside of the housing 12. Therefore, the foreign matter floating in the air is less likely to enter the printing area 40, and the printing defect caused by the foreign matter is less likely to occur.

"Outline of removal part"
3 and 4 are schematic views showing the state of the removal unit viewed from an oblique direction (a direction intersecting the printing surface M1). 5 and 6 are enlarged views of a region A surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 2, and are schematic views showing a state of the removal unit. Specifically, FIGS. 3 and 5 are schematic diagrams illustrating the state of the removing unit 60 when the medium M is not conveyed to the medium support unit 22. 4 and 6 are schematic views illustrating the state of the removing unit 60 when the medium M is transported to the medium support unit 22.
In FIGS. 3 to 6, illustration of components unnecessary for the description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the medium M is not transported to the medium support unit 22, the removal unit 60 extends along a direction (X direction) intersecting the transport direction F and has a U-shaped cross section. The removal unit 60 is disposed so as to contact the medium support unit 22. The shaded portion in the drawing is a portion (second contact portion 62) that contacts the medium support portion 22 of the removal portion 60 when the medium M is not supported by the medium support portion 22. The second contact portion 62 extends in a direction (X direction) that intersects the transport direction F.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the removal part 60, both ends (ends 60A and 60B) are being fixed to the fixing | fixed part 7 via the adhesive sheet (illustration omitted). That is, the removing unit 60 has one end 60A fixed to the fixing unit 7 and the other end 60B fixed to the fixing unit 7, and the one end 60A and the other end 60B are separated from each other. . Further, the end 60A is disposed on the upstream side in the transport direction F with respect to the end 60B.
Thus, the removal part 60 is fixed so that a position may not change at both ends (ends 60A and 60B), and can be displaced between the ends 60A and 60B.

Even if there are gaps between the ends 60A, 60B of the removal portion 60 and the fixing portion 7, and the ends 60A, 60B of the removal portion 60 are not bonded to the fixing portion 7, the ends 60A, 60A, If the end of the removal part 60 is fixed to the fixing part 7 so that the position of 60B cannot be changed, it is the technical scope of the present application.
Furthermore, even if there are gaps between the ends 60A and 60B of the removal portion 60 and the fixing portion 7, and the ends 60A and 60B of the removal portion 60 can be displaced by an external force, the fixing portion 7 is located at the end of the removal portion 60. If there is a fixed part, the technical scope of the present application.

The removal part 60 is comprised with the member (for example, nonwoven fabric) which has flexibility. For this reason, the portion between the end 60 </ b> A and the end 60 </ b> B of the removing unit 60 is deformed in the direction of gravity by its own weight, protrudes toward the medium support unit 22, and contacts the medium support unit 22. The part of the removing unit 60 that contacts the medium support unit 22 is the second contact unit 62, and the length of the second contact unit 62 in the transport direction F is L2.
The removing unit 60 is in contact with the medium support unit 22 at the second contact unit 62, and is located upstream of the second contact unit 62 in the transport direction F and downstream of the second contact unit 62 in the transport direction F. Both are separated from the medium support 22.

On the upstream side in the transport direction F of the second contact portion 62, the interval H <b> 1 between the removal unit 60 and the medium support unit 22 becomes wider toward the opposite direction to the transport direction F. In other words, the removal unit 60 is arranged such that the distance H1 between the removal unit 60 and the medium support unit 22 increases as it goes in the direction opposite to the transport direction F.
On the downstream side in the transport direction F of the second contact portion 62, the distance H <b> 2 between the removal unit 60 and the medium support unit 22 becomes wider toward the transport direction F. In other words, the removal unit 60 is arranged so that the distance H <b> 2 between the removal unit 60 and the medium support unit 22 increases toward the transport direction F.

  As described above, the medium M is unwound from the roll body R wound in a cylindrical shape and sent out from the set unit 20 to the medium support unit 22. When the medium M is sent out from the set unit 20 to the medium support unit 22, the medium M is affected by the shape of the roll body R wound in a cylindrical shape (curl), and warps in a direction to rise from the medium support unit 22 by the curl. Cheap. Further, when the medium M is made of a hard material or a thick material, the influence of the curl is stronger than when the medium M is made of a soft material or a thin material, and warps in the direction of lifting from the medium support portion 22. Cheap.

  On the upstream side in the transport direction F of the second contact portion 62, the distance H <b> 1 between the removal portion 60 and the medium support portion 22 becomes wider toward the direction opposite to the transport direction F, and narrower on the side closer to the second contact portion 62. It is wider on the side farther from the second contact portion 62. The medium M unwound from the roll R passes through a part where the distance between the removal unit 60 and the medium support part 22 is wide and a part where the distance between the removal part 60 and the medium support part 22 is narrow, and is conveyed. It is sent out to the part 30 side.

  In the present embodiment, since the distance H1 between the removal unit 60 and the medium support unit 22 is wide on the side where the leading end MF of the medium M is received, the medium M is wound by the curl of the medium M as indicated by a broken line in the drawing. Even when the leading edge MF of the medium M is lifted from the medium support portion 22, the leading edge MF of the medium M is a portion where the distance H1 between the removal portion 60 and the medium support portion 22 is wide (the side far from the second contact portion 62). The removal unit 60 guides the gap H1 between the removal unit 60 and the medium support unit 22 to a narrow portion (side closer to the second contact unit 62), so that the conveyance failure of the medium M hardly occurs.

  If the leading edge MF of the medium M is lifted from the medium support part 22 by the curl of the medium M, and the distance H1 between the removal part 60 and the medium support part 22 is narrow on the side receiving the leading edge MF of the medium M, the leading edge of the medium M The MF is difficult to be received between the removal unit 60 and the medium support unit 22 and is pushed back in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction F by the removal unit 60, so that a conveyance failure such as a jam easily occurs.

Further, in the printing apparatus 10, the medium M may be rewound from the transport unit 30 side to the set unit 20 side.
For example, when the medium M is a cut sheet and the medium M is rewound from the transport unit 30 side to the set unit 20 side, the removal unit 60 and the medium support are provided downstream of the second contact unit 62 in the transport direction F. Since the distance H2 from the portion 22 increases toward the transport direction F and increases on the side that receives the medium M (the side far from the second contact portion 62), as shown by the broken line in FIG. Even when the rear end ME of the medium M is lifted from the medium support unit 22, the rear end ME of the medium M is received at a portion where the distance H <b> 2 between the removal unit 60 and the medium support unit 22 is wide. In addition, since the gap H2 between the removal unit 60 and the medium support unit 22 is guided to a narrow portion (side closer to the second contact unit 62), poor conveyance of the medium M hardly occurs.

  Therefore, on the upstream side in the transport direction F of the second contact portion 62, the distance H1 between the removal portion 60 and the medium support portion 22 increases toward the direction opposite to the transport direction F, and the second contact portion 62 extends in the transport direction F. On the downstream side, it is preferable that the distance H <b> 2 between the removing unit 60 and the medium support unit 22 increases as it goes in the transport direction F.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, when the medium M is transported to the medium support unit 22, the removing unit 60 is disposed so as to be in contact with either the medium support unit 22 or the medium M. A portion where the removing unit 60 contacts either the medium support unit 22 or the medium M is shaded in the drawing. The portion of the removing unit 60 that contacts the medium M is the first contact unit 61 that contacts the printing surface M <b> 1 when the medium M is supported by the medium support unit 22. The first contact portion 61 extends in a direction (X direction) intersecting the transport direction F.

  The medium M is disposed inside the removing unit 60, and the length of the removing unit 60 in the X direction is longer than the length of the medium M in the X direction. The removing unit 60 contacts the printing surface M1 of the medium M in a wide range in the width direction (X direction) of the medium M. Since the removing unit 60 is in contact with the printing surface M1 of the medium M in a wide range in the width direction of the medium M, the foreign matter attached to the printing surface M1 of the medium M is removed by conveying the medium M in the conveying direction F. Can do.

  Since the removing unit 60 is disposed inside the medium support unit 22 and the medium M is disposed inside the removing unit 60, both ends of the portion where the removing unit 60 is in contact with the printing surface M1 of the medium M (first contact unit 61). In addition, a portion (second contact portion 62) in contact with the medium support portion 22 of the removing portion 60 is disposed. The second contact portion 62, the first contact portion 61, and the second contact portion 62 are sequentially arranged along a direction (X direction) that intersects the transport direction F.

When the medium M is transported in the transport direction F, an external force in the transport direction F acts on the removal unit 60 from the medium M in the first contact unit 61, and the first contact unit 61 is pulled in the transport direction F.
Further, a force (drag) against the external force in the transport direction F acts on the medium M from the removal unit 60. A similar drag (force in the direction opposite to the conveying direction F) acts on the foreign matter from the removal unit 60 on the foreign matter attached to the printing surface M1 of the medium M, and the foreign matter attached to the printing surface M1 of the medium M. Is removed by the removing unit 60.

Since the medium support portion 22 is stationary, no external force acts on the removal portion 60 from the medium support portion 22 at the second contact portion 62. The second contact portion 62 tries to stay at the same position by the frictional force between the removal portion 60 and the medium support portion 22.
For this reason, when the medium M is transported in the transport direction F, the first contact portion 61 is pulled in the transport direction F by the medium M, and the second contact portion 62 is brought to the same position by the frictional force with the medium support portion 22. The first contact portion 61 is deformed so as to protrude from the second contact portion 62 in the transport direction F, and the shape of the removal portion 60 is formed in the vicinity of the boundary between the first contact portion 61 and the second contact portion 62. Is disturbed.
Furthermore, the surface unevenness of the removal unit 60 and the medium support unit 22 and the displacement state of the removal unit 60 are affected, and the influence of the frictional force between the second contact unit 62 and the medium support unit 22 is the second contact. The portion 62 tends to become stronger as the contact area with the medium support portion 22 becomes wider.

  Hereinafter, the disturbance of the shape of the removal portion 60 near the boundary between the first contact portion 61 and the second contact portion 62 is referred to as the disturbance of the shape near the boundary. When the disturbance of the shape near the boundary is enormous, it becomes difficult for the removing unit 60 to contact the medium M stably and uniformly near the boundary between the first contact part 61 and the second contact part 62. It becomes difficult to stably and uniformly remove foreign matter adhering to the printing surface M1.

  For example, when the length of the medium M in the X direction is equal to the length of the removal unit 60 in the X direction and the second contact portion 62 is not present, the frictional force between the medium support unit 22 does not act and the vicinity of the boundary. Therefore, the removing unit 60 can stably and uniformly remove foreign matter over a wide range of the printing surface M1 of the medium M.

  However, if the difference between the length of the removal unit 60 in the X direction and the length of the medium M in the X direction becomes too large and the second contact unit 62 becomes too wide with respect to the first contact unit 61, the second contact unit 62. The influence of the frictional force between the removing portion 60 and the medium support portion 22 in the medium becomes stronger, the shape disturbance near the boundary becomes large, and the foreign matter adhering to the printing surface M1 of the medium M is stably and uniformly removed. It becomes difficult.

  Furthermore, when the influence of the frictional force between the removing unit 60 and the medium support unit 22 in the second contact unit 62 becomes strong, the conveyance of the medium M is hindered and a conveyance failure such as a jam is likely to occur.

  On the other hand, when the difference between the length in the X direction of the removal unit 60 and the length in the X direction of the medium M is small and the second contact unit 62 is not too wide with respect to the first contact unit 61, the removal at the second contact unit 62 The influence of the frictional force between the portion 60 and the medium support portion 22 is weakened, the disturbance of the shape near the boundary is reduced, and the foreign matter adhering to the printing surface M1 of the medium M can be easily and stably removed. . Further, the conveyance of the medium M is also hardly hindered.

  For this reason, it is preferable that the difference between the length of the removing unit 60 in the X direction and the length of the medium M in the X direction is small. That is, for the medium M having a long length in the X direction, the removal unit 60 having a long length in the X direction is used, and for the medium M having a short length in the X direction, the removal having a short length in the X direction is performed. Part 60 is preferably used.

  In the present embodiment, when printing on a medium having a greatly different length in the X direction, the removal unit 60 having a long length in the X direction is used for the medium M having a long length in the X direction. For the medium M having a short length, the removal unit 60 having a short length in the X direction is used. That is, when printing on a medium having a significantly different length in the X direction, the removal unit 60 having an appropriate length for the medium is replaced.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the medium M is transported to the medium support unit 22, the printing surface M <b> 1 of the medium M is closer to the fixed unit 7 than the upper surface (surface that supports the medium M) of the medium support unit 22. Therefore, the removing unit 60 is largely deformed on the first contact unit 61 side (side in contact with the medium M) rather than on the second contact unit 62 side (side in contact with the medium support unit 22). For this reason, the length L1 of the first contact portion 61 in the transport direction F is longer than the length L2 of the second contact portion 62 in the transport direction F.

  As described above, the removing unit 60 applies a force in the direction opposite to the transport direction F to the foreign matter attached to the printing surface M1 of the medium M to remove the foreign matter attached to the printing surface M1 of the medium M. Since the length L1 of the first contact portion 61 in the transport direction F is longer than the length L2 of the second contact portion 62 in the transport direction F, a force in the direction opposite to the transport direction F that removes foreign matters acts longer. The foreign matter adhering to the printing surface M1 of the medium M is more strongly removed.

The removing unit 60 is separated from the medium support unit 22 in both the upstream portion in the transport direction F from the first contact portion 61 and the downstream portion in the transport direction F from the first contact portion 61.
On the upstream side of the first contact portion 61 in the transport direction F, the interval H3 between the removal unit 60 and the medium support unit 22 becomes wider toward the opposite direction to the transport direction F. In other words, the removal unit 60 is arranged so that the distance H3 between the removal unit 60 and the medium support unit 22 increases as it goes in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction F.
On the downstream side of the first contact portion 61 in the transport direction F, the interval H4 between the removal unit 60 and the medium support unit 22 increases toward the transport direction F. In other words, the removal unit 60 is arranged such that the distance H4 between the removal unit 60 and the medium support unit 22 increases as the distance in the conveyance direction F increases.

7 and 8 are diagrams corresponding to FIG. 6 and are schematic diagrams illustrating a state of the removal unit of the comparative example. In FIG. 7, the removal unit 70 of the comparative example is indicated by a solid line, and the removal unit 60 of the present embodiment is indicated by a broken line. In FIG. 8, the removal part 70 of a comparative example is shown with the continuous line and the broken line.
The removal unit 70 of the comparative example is half the length in the transport direction F compared to the removal unit 60 of the present embodiment, one end 70A is fixed to the fixing unit 7, and the other end 70B is a medium. It shall be in contact with M.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the end 70B of the removal unit 70 is not fixed and is movable. Since the removal unit 70 is made of the same material as the removal unit 60 of the present embodiment, the removal unit 70 has the same shape as the removal unit 60 of the present embodiment on the upstream side in the transport direction F of the end 70B. In other words, the removal unit 70 has a shape in which the distance from the medium support unit 22 becomes wider in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction F on the upstream side in the conveyance direction F of the end 70B.

  Since the length of the removal unit 70 in the transport direction F is half that of the removal unit 60 of the present embodiment, the length of the portion of the removal unit 70 in contact with the medium M in the transport direction F is that of the present embodiment. This is half the length L1 in the transport direction F of the portion of the removal unit 60 that contacts the medium M. That is, the area of the portion of the removal unit 70 that contacts the medium M is half of the area of the portion of the removal unit 60 that contacts the medium M of the present embodiment.

In FIG. 8, the state of the removing unit 70 when the medium M is rewound onto the set unit 20 is illustrated.
As shown in FIG. 8, when the medium M is rewound onto the setting unit 20, that is, when the medium M is transported in the direction opposite to the transport direction F, the removing unit 70 is moved in the transport direction F by the frictional force with the medium M. Pulled in the opposite direction. Since the end 70B of the removal unit 70 is movable, the end 70B moves in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction F, and the shape of the removal unit 70 changes from the state indicated by the broken line in the drawing to the state indicated by the solid line in the drawing. To change. That is, the removing unit 70 has a shape in which a portion separated from the medium support portion 22 and a portion in contact with the medium support portion 22 are sequentially arranged along the transport direction F (a shape indicated by a broken line in the drawing). The portion that contacts the support portion 22 and the portion that is separated from the medium support portion 22 change to a shape (a shape indicated by a solid line in the drawing) that is sequentially arranged along the transport direction F.

  When the medium M is transported in the transport direction F, if the removing unit 70 has a shape indicated by a broken line in the drawing, the medium M can be received at a portion where the removing unit 70 and the medium support unit 22 are separated from each other. Therefore, the conveyance of the medium M is not easily disturbed. However, if the removal unit 70 has the shape indicated by the solid line in the drawing, it is difficult to receive the medium M at a portion where the distance between the removal unit 70 and the medium support unit 22 is narrow. The front end MF of M (see FIG. 5) is pushed back in the direction opposite to the transport direction F by the removing unit 70, and a transport failure such as a jam is likely to occur.

  Furthermore, when the length of the removing unit 70 in the transport direction F is increased, the area of the removing unit 70 in contact with the medium M is increased, and the removing unit 70 can easily remove the foreign matter attached to the printing surface M1 of the medium M. Become. However, if the length of the removal unit 70 in the transport direction F is increased, the end 70B of the removal unit 70 may move greatly, and problems such as twisting and deflection may occur. For this reason, in the removal part 70 of a comparative example, it is difficult to lengthen the length of the removal part 70 in the conveyance direction F.

In the removing unit 60 of the present embodiment, both ends (ends 60A and 60B) are fixed to the fixing unit 7, so that the medium M is sent in the transport direction F or the medium M is rewound in the direction opposite to the transport direction F. Thus, the shape does not change, and the shape in which the conveyance failure of the medium M hardly occurs can be maintained.
Furthermore, since both ends (ends 60A and 60B) are fixed to the fixing unit 7, even if the length of the removal unit 60 in the transport direction F is increased, problems such as twisting and deflection are unlikely to occur. For this reason, the removal part 60 of this embodiment can lengthen the length of the conveyance direction F compared with the removal part 70 of a comparative example, and can remove the foreign material adhering to the printing surface M1 of the medium M more strongly.

The removal part 60 of this embodiment is an aggregate of fibers having flexibility. Specifically, the removal unit 60 is a nonwoven fabric in which fibers are partially bonded. As the fibers constituting the removing unit 60, for example, synthetic fibers such as polyester fibers, polyamide fibers, and polyolefin fibers, semi-synthetic fibers such as acetate, recycled fibers such as cuplers and rayons, and natural fibers such as cotton are used. be able to.
For example, the removing unit 60 may be a felt in which fibers are entangled to form a cloth. For example, the removal part 60 may be a cloth formed by weaving or knitting fibers.

  If the removal part 60 is comprised with the aggregate | assembly of many fibers, many space (cavity) can be formed inside. When a space is formed inside the removal unit 60, more foreign matters are collected (accumulated) inside the removal unit 60 and more foreign matters than when no space is formed inside the removal unit 60. Can be collected. Therefore, by forming a space inside the removal unit 60, the foreign matter collecting ability of the removal unit 60 can be enhanced.

For example, when the removing unit 60 is configured with a brush, the space inside the brush becomes too wide as compared with the case where the removing unit 60 is configured with an aggregate of fibers, and it is difficult to retain foreign matter inside the brush. For example, the foreign matter removed (scratched off) by the brush may fly through the inside of the brush and reattach to the printing surface M1 of the medium M.
In the present embodiment, since the foreign matter removed by the removing unit 60 remains in the space inside the removing unit 60, the possibility of scattering and reattaching to the printing surface M1 of the medium M can be suppressed.

  In addition, it is preferable to remove regularly the foreign material collected by the removal part 60 with a cleaning member (illustration omitted) so that the foreign material collection capability of the removal part 60 may not deteriorate. For example, by transferring the adhesive sheet instead of the medium M, the foreign matter collected by the removing unit 60 can be easily removed.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 9 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4, and is a schematic diagram illustrating a state of the removing unit according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 9, the medium N that is significantly shorter in the X direction than the medium M is indicated by a broken line.
In the printing apparatus of the present embodiment, the removing unit 80 is divided into a plurality of parts, and in the printing apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, the removing unit 60 is not divided into a plurality of parts. This is a difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment. Yes, the other configurations are the same.
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 9, the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the printing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment. Moreover, about the same component as Embodiment 1, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the removal unit 80 includes a first removal unit 81, a second removal unit 82, and a third removal unit 83. The third removal unit 83, the second removal unit 82, and the first removal unit 81 are sequentially arranged along a direction (X direction) intersecting the transport direction F.
That is, the removing unit 80 is divided into a plurality along the direction (X direction) intersecting the transport direction F.

  The length of each of the removal units 81, 82, and 83 in the X direction is shorter than the length of the removal unit 60 in the first embodiment in the X direction, and the removal unit 80 in the present embodiment is the same as the removal unit 60 in the first embodiment. It has a configuration divided into three.

  The removal portions 81, 82, 83 each extend along a direction (X direction) intersecting the transport direction F and have a U-shaped cross section. Both ends (ends 80A and 80B) of the removal portions 81, 82, and 83 are fixed to a fixing portion 7 (not shown). In the portion between the end 80A and the end 80B, the removing portions 81, 82, and 83 are deformed in the direction of gravity due to their own weight and project toward the medium support portion 22 side.

For the medium M, the entire removal unit 80 (the first removal unit 81, the second removal unit 82, and the third removal unit 83) is in contact with the printing surface M1 of the medium M, and the printing surface of the medium M. Foreign matter adhering to M1 is removed.
For the medium N whose length in the X direction is significantly shorter than that of the medium M, a part of the removing unit 80 (a part of the plurality of removing units 81, 82, 83 (second removing unit 82)). However, the foreign matter adhering to the printing surface of the medium N is removed. That is, the first removal unit 81 and the third removal unit 83 do not contact the medium N, and the second removal unit 82 contacts the medium N and removes foreign matters attached to the printing surface of the medium N.

As described above, if the difference between the length of the removal portion in the X direction and the length of the medium in the X direction becomes too large, the shape disturbance near the boundary becomes large, and the foreign matter adhering to the printing surface of the medium is stabilized. Therefore, the medium cannot be removed uniformly, and the conveyance of the medium in the conveyance direction F is hindered.
For this reason, in the first embodiment, it is necessary to replace the medium N having a remarkably short length in the X direction with the removal unit 60 having an appropriate length as compared with the medium M.

In the present embodiment, a part of the removing unit 80 (a part of the plurality of removing units 81, 82, 83 (second removing unit 82)) is in contact with the medium N, and thus the removing unit 80 having an appropriate length. Therefore, it is possible to stably and uniformly remove the foreign matter adhering to the printing surface of the medium N while suppressing the conveyance failure of the medium N.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to cross the removing unit 80 as compared with the first embodiment, and the productivity of the printing work can be improved.

  Further, if the removing unit 80 has a configuration in which the removing unit 81 is divided into a plurality of removing units 81, 82, and 83, for example, if the removing unit 80 has a defect such as a scratch or a stain, the entire removing unit 80 is removed. There is no need to replace the battery, and it is only necessary to replace the removed part where a defect such as a scratch or dirt has occurred. For example, when a defect such as a scratch or dirt occurs in the first removal unit 81, only the first removal unit 81 needs to be replaced.

  Therefore, the configuration in which a part of the removal unit divided into a plurality of parts (configuration in the present embodiment) is replaced with the configuration in which the entire removal unit is replaced (configuration in the first embodiment). Costs can be reduced.

When the removal unit has a configuration divided into a plurality of parts, the number of divisions of the removal unit is not limited to three as described above, and the number of divisions of the removal unit may be more than three, and the number of divisions of the removal unit May be less than three.
Furthermore, when the removal part has a configuration divided into a plurality of parts, it is preferable that the removal parts divided into a plurality of parts be freely displaced from each other. For example, the configuration in which the first removal unit 81 and the second removal unit 82 partially overlap and the displacement of the first removal unit 81 affects the displacement of the second removal unit 82 has a shape near the boundary. This is not preferable because the disturbance may increase. On the other hand, a configuration in which the displacement of the first removal unit 81 does not affect the displacement of the second removal unit 82 is preferable because the possibility of the disturbance of the shape near the boundary becoming large is suppressed.

For this reason, in this embodiment, the 3rd removal part 83, the 2nd removal part 82, and the 1st removal part 81 are conveyed so that the removal part divided | segmented into plurality can mutually be displaced freely. They are sequentially arranged along the direction (X direction) intersecting with the direction F, and are separated from each other.
In addition, if the removal part divided | segmented into plurality freely displaces mutually, it is not necessary to arrange | position the removal part divided | segmented into several in one direction, For example, you may arrange | position in zigzag form. For example, the 3rd removal part 83, the 2nd removal part 82, and the 1st removal part 81 are arrange | positioned in zigzag shape along the direction (X direction) which cross | intersects the conveyance direction F, and the conveyance direction F When viewed from the above, a part of the configuration may overlap.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 10 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 6 and is a schematic diagram illustrating a state of the removal unit according to the third embodiment.
In the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the configuration of the removing unit 90 is different from that of the printing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, and other configurations are the same.
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 10, the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the printing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment. Moreover, about the same component as Embodiment 1, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, the removing unit 90 according to the present embodiment is disposed on the first member 91 disposed on the medium support unit 22 side and on the opposite side (the fixed unit 7 side) from the medium support unit 22. And a second member 92.

  The first member 91 and the second member 92 have substantially the same shape and overlap in a plane. That is, one end 91A of the first member 91 and one end 92A of the second member 92 are arranged at the same position, and the other end 91B of the first member 91 and the other end 92B of the second member 92 are Arranged at the same position.

  The first member 91 and the second member 92 may have different shapes. For example, the first member 91 is larger than the second member 92, and one end 91 </ b> A of the first member 91 is disposed upstream of the one end 92 </ b> A of the second member 92 in the transport direction F. The other end 91 </ b> B of 91 may be arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction F with respect to the other end 92 </ b> B of the second member 92. For example, the first member 91 is smaller than the second member 92, and one end 91 </ b> A of the first member 91 is disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction F with respect to the one end 92 </ b> A of the second member 92. The other end 91 </ b> B of 91 may be arranged on the upstream side in the transport direction F with respect to the other end 92 </ b> B of the second member 92.

The first member 91 and the second member 92 are bonded via an adhesive (not shown). One end 92A of the second member 92 and the other end 92B of the second member 92 are bonded (fixed) to the fixing portion 7 via an adhesive sheet (not shown).
The first member 91 and the second member 92 may be bonded to each other by a method other than an adhesive, for example, heat welding.

  The first member 91 is an aggregate of fibers having flexibility, and is made of the same material as that of the removing unit 60 of the first embodiment. Specifically, the constituent material of the first member 91 is polyester, and the Young's modulus of the material constituting the first member 91 is approximately 3000 MPa.

  The second member 92 is a film (thin plate) made of a material having higher rigidity than the first member 91. The material having higher rigidity than the first member 91 is a material that is more difficult to deform than the first member 91 and is a material having a Young's modulus greater than that of the first member 91. Specifically, the constituent material of the second member 92 is polyester terephthalate, and the Young's modulus of the material constituting the second member 92 is approximately 12000 MPa.

The constituent material of the medium M on the side in contact with the printing surface M1 is the same in the removing unit 90 (first member 91) of the present embodiment and the removing unit 60 of the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, a second member 92 having a higher rigidity than the first member 91 is added to the side (fixed portion 7 side) opposite to the side in contact with the printing surface M1 of the medium M. This is the embodiment. This is a difference from 1.
That is, the removal unit 90 of the present embodiment is newly added with a member having higher rigidity than the removal unit 60 according to the first embodiment, and has a higher rigidity than that of the first embodiment.

  When the rigidity of the removing unit 90 is increased, the force with which the removing unit 90 presses the printing surface M1 of the medium M in the first contact unit 61 can be increased. When the force of pressing the printing surface M1 of the medium M of the removing unit 90 is increased, the foreign matter attached to the printing surface M1 of the medium M can be more strongly removed.

  Note that if the force that presses the printing surface M1 of the medium M of the removal unit 90 becomes too strong, the conveyance of the medium M is adversely affected. For example, the medium M may be wrinkled or scratched. It is not preferable that the force for pressing the printing surface M1 becomes too strong. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the thickness of the second member 92 is smaller than 1 mm, and the force that presses the printing surface M1 of the medium M of the removing unit 90 does not become too strong.

(Embodiment 4)
The removal part 60 which concerns on Embodiment 4 is comprised with the fiber which has electroconductivity, and has electroconductivity. That is, the removal part which concerns on this embodiment is comprised with the electroconductive member.
The conductive member constituting the removal unit 60 is, for example, a fiber made of a polymer having a main chain structure in which double bonds and single bonds are alternately arranged, for example, a polypyrrole polymer, a polythiophene polymer, a polyaniline polymer It includes fibers made of conductive polymers such as molecules and polyacetylene polymers.

  When the foreign matter adheres to the printing surface M1 of the medium M due to electrostatic force, if the medium M is neutralized by the removing unit 60, the electrostatic force becomes weak and the foreign matter attached to the printing surface M1 of the medium M is easily removed. Therefore, the removing unit 60 has conductivity, and thus it is easy to remove foreign matters attached to the printing surface M1 of the medium M.

  Note that the removing unit 60 may be an aggregate of conductive fibers and non-conductive fibers.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 7 ... Fixed part, 10 ... Printing apparatus, 11 ... Leg part, 12 ... Housing | casing part, 13 ... Feeding port, 14 ... Operation part, 15 ... Discharge port, 20 ... Set part, 30 ... Conveying part, 40 ... Printing Area, 41... Recording head, 60... Removal part, 60A, 60B .. end, 61... First contact part, F .. conveying direction, M .. medium, M1. L2, ... the length of the second contact portion in the transport direction, H1, H2 ... the distance between the removal portion and the medium support portion in the second contact portion, H3, H4 ... the removal portion and the medium support portion in the first contact portion. Interval.

Claims (10)

A printing section for printing on the printing surface of the medium;
A transport unit that transports the medium in a transport direction and sends the medium to the printing unit;
A medium support unit that is disposed upstream of the printing unit in the transport direction and supports a surface of the medium opposite to the printing surface;
A removal portion having flexibility and having a first contact portion that comes into contact with the printing surface when the medium is supported by the medium support portion;
With
The removal unit is separated from the medium support unit in both the upstream portion in the transport direction from the first contact portion and the downstream portion in the transport direction from the first contact portion,
An interval between the removal unit and the medium support unit becomes wider toward the direction opposite to the transport direction on the upstream side of the transport direction of the first contact unit, and the distance between the first contact unit and the medium support unit increases in the transport direction. The printing apparatus is characterized in that it becomes wider toward the transport direction on the downstream side. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first contact portion extends in a direction crossing the transport direction. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
A fixing portion for fixing the removing portion;
When the medium is not supported by the medium support unit, the removing unit is in contact with the medium support unit and closes a gap between the fixed unit and the medium support unit. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When the medium is not supported by the medium support part, and the part where the removal part is in contact with the medium support part is a second contact part,
The length of the said 1st contact part in the said conveyance direction is longer than the length of the said 2nd contact part in the said conveyance direction, The printing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the removing unit is divided into a plurality of parts along a direction intersecting the transport direction. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The removal unit includes a first member disposed on the medium support unit side and a second member disposed on the opposite side of the medium support unit,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second member has higher rigidity than the first member. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A fixing portion for fixing the removing portion;
The removal portion has one end fixed to the fixing portion and the other end fixed to the fixing portion,
The printing apparatus, wherein the one end and the other end are separated from each other. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the removing unit is made of a conductive member. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The transport unit has a plurality of rollers,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the removing unit is located on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to a roller located on the most upstream side in the transport direction among the plurality of rollers. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
A set unit for sending the medium to the transport unit;
The printing apparatus, wherein the removing unit is disposed between the set unit and the transport unit.

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